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He cannot keep Geoffrey with him always. You know that Adam will go away to be fostered in a few years. Ian and I will do our best to find people who will love him and be kind to him, but mistakes can be made. Someone was unkind to Geoffrey before he came into Ian's care. He is wounded in a way you cannot see. Thus, just as you would not touch Ian's back, you must not use certain words to Geoffrey. You must not call him whoreson or bastard, even in anger." Alinor smiled. "Call him louse, or feeble-minded worm, or gaping oaf if you will, but not those others." |
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"Gentlewomen do not use such language," Joanna said sententiously. |
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"Well, I never said you were a gentlewomanonly that I was trying to make you into one," her mother replied tartly. "And if the argument I overheard you having with Adam, right here in this room, last week is any proof, I am not succeeding," Alinor teased. She laughed as she saw Joanna beginning to marshal arguments as to why brothers, especially younger brothers, were exceptions to the rule that a gentlewoman use gentle language. "Never mind that now," her mother cut her off. "We have idled away time enough.'' |
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Even being lectured was better than spinning. "But mother" Joanna began. |
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"We must be all new dressed for the wedding," Alinor interrupted temptingly, "and the clothes must be very grand to do us honor before our guests. What would best become you, do you think? Shall we look through the cloth?" |
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Some time before Alinor had sought out Geoffrey, Ian watched Owain slip his shield strap over Adam. The child braced himself sturdily under the weight. He had a good seat in the saddle, too, even though he had to turn his body to allow the shield to clear the horse's side. Then Owain mounted to Adam's left and Beorn brought his horse to Ian's right. |
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